Freeport Education Foundation raises $75,000

Stepping into their fourth year, the Freeport Education Foundation held its annual gala on May 30 at the Coral House in Baldwin. By the end of the evening, the foundation raised approximately $75,000. Prior to this year’s gala, FEF has raised over, $120,00 of which over $67,00 was awarded to the schools through grant programs. Further, a baby grand piano was purchased for the Performing Arts Center at Freeport High School and in the past has awarded $12,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors.

“It’s very humbling and gratifying to see a community — our Freeport friends and sponsors coming together,” Dr. Kishore Kuncham, superintendent of Freeport Public Schools said. “They really support our children and schools.”

Kuncham assures every cent raised goes directly to support teachers and students to focus on creating “out of the box” learning. Through the grants, teachers develop projects centered on STEAM learning and create programs that the schools later make efforts to implement into the curriculum. Kuncham says the monies are also separate from the school budget.

During the dinner, the FEF awarded 16 FHS seniors with $500 scholarships. The students were recognized in front of their families, FEF sponsors and school administrators during the dinner. This year’s FEF honorees were County Executive, Laura Curran and longtime FHS lacrosse coach and teacher Harry Morhman. Curran was recognized for her continuous support to the Freeport Public School District, while Morhman was recognized for his 50 years of working in the district.

“Our fourth annual gala has been the largest event yet,” Butch Yamali, president of the FEF said. “[This year we had] many more corporate sponsors joining us. We are pleased that once again we will be able to continue our mission of changing the lives of Freeport children through innovative educational programs.”